We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Reviews The 8 Best Pot Holders of 2024 Keep your hands burn-free with these options. By Jack Byram Jack Byram Jack is a writer with over five years of writing experience. He has written about everything from tech to sleep, covering everything in between. He has tested numerous products, including vacuum cleaners, blenders, pillows, jeans, blackout blinds, and espresso machines. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on April 18, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews The Bottom Line What to Know Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are Photo: Better Homes & Gardens / Brian Kopinski If you’re an avid home chef, then you know how awful a burn of any kind can be. While the traditional oven mitt is always an option, pot holders are actually a great piece of technology and a less bulky way to get added protection. To find the best options for your kitchen, we researched several picks, keeping in mind their style, material, grip, and more. We also consulted Steve Mellina, the executive chef at the Doubles Club, Sophina Uong, co-owner and executive chef of Mister Mao in New Orleans, and Kristen Cropper, executive sous chef of Quinto in Miami, for more insight. What We Researched We evaluated eight pot holders on their material, size, heat protection, grip, and care instructions. Our Top Picks Best Overall: All-Clad 2-Piece Potholder Set at Amazon $24 Jump to Review Best Splurge: Food52 Silicone Pot Holders at Food52 $29 Jump to Review Best Silicone: NEPAK 4 Pairs Silicone Cooking Pinch Grips at Amazon $10 Jump to Review Best Cotton: SALE Ritz Terry Pocket Mitt and Hot Pad at Amazon $16 $13 Jump to Review Best Oven Mitt & Pot Holder Set: Williams Sonoma Grilling Oven Mitt and Potholder Set at Williams-Sonoma $30 Jump to Review Best Colors: SALE KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Pot Holder at Amazon $21 $9 Jump to Review Best Non-Slip: OXO Good Grips Silicone Pot Holder at Amazon $13 Jump to Review Best with Pocket: Big Red House Pot Holders for Kitchen at Amazon $16 Jump to Review Best Overall All-Clad 2-Piece Potholder Set PHOTO: Amazon $22 at Amazon $22 at Wayfair $22 at All-clad.com Why You Should Get It They have a super flexible silicone treatment that makes bending them and maintaining a grip incredibly easy. Keep in Mind There’s no pocket to put your hand in for additional security. According to Mellina, All-Clad’s 2-Piece Potholder Set is an excellent choice for cooking at home. Each pot holder is made from 100% cotton twill and silicone and can resist heat up to 500°F. These pot holders are highly flexible, enabling users the dexterity necessary to easily grab a pan or pot handle while still having enough coverage and hand protection. A flexible silicone treatment also works to ensure that there is no slippage when handling pots and pans, which is vital when dealing with hotter items, especially those filled with liquids. This option comes in a two-pack and is less expensive than other options. It also comes in 11 different color options to accommodate your kitchen. Plus, each pick has a hook loop so that you can hang it near your stove. We like that this option has a flat design, which means these will easily fit into a drawer. They can also be machine-washed, so you won’t have to worry if any liquids splatter onto them while you’re using them. Keep in mind that unlike some other options, this style doesn’t feature a pocket to put your hand in for additional security. Product Details: Material: Cotton, silicone | Care: Machine washable | Size: 6 x 10 x 0.5 inches Best Splurge Food52 Silicone Pot Holders PHOTO: Food52 $29 at Food52 Why You Should Get It The attention to detail, like a magnet and low-pile terry liner for comfort, elevate this model. Keep in Mind These are a bit smaller than other pot holders, so they may not be a good fit for those with large hands. While a bit pricier than other options on our list, the Five Two Silicone Pot Holders feature a combination of style and performance that earned a spot as some of our favorite pot holders. Thanks to high-quality silicone on the palm portion of these, your hands are protected for up to 650°F. The thin and flexible design of this pick still promotes dexterity and the pocket on the back provides a better grip. On the reverse side, these pot holders are made with cotton, and the liner is made from low-pile terry for added comfort against your skin. Five color options provide ample selection to make the most of these stylishly designed pot holders. Just be aware that the actual pocket for fingers may not accommodate larger hands. We appreciate the windowpane design that these pot holders feature, which makes them appealing to leave out in the kitchen between uses. You can either display them by their handing loops or use the included magnet. Product Details: Material: Cotton, terry, silicone | Care: Machine washable | Size: 6 x 8 inches Best Silicone NEPAK 4 Pairs Silicone Cooking Pinch Grips PHOTO: Amazon $10 at Amazon Why You Should Get It The design means these can double as a stand for a hot spoon. Keep in Mind The thickness of the material may make it difficult to grab certain items. The Nepak Silicone Cooking Pinch Grips, recommended by Uong, is a fun and affordable way to protect your hands. She notes that they are fun for kids to use and are easy to wash. Plus, the set includes four different pairs and is less expensive than other picks. The silicone pinchers are designed to easily grip handles on a hot pot or when working with your outdoor grill. There’s also a ring loop so they can be conveniently hung near the stove or grill. We appreciate the vibrant colors of the four pairs of these gloves, as they are easy to identify quickly in a kitchen drawer if they are stowed away. While they are flexible, they are also designed to hold their shape when not in use, which means they can also be used to hold a hot spoon or another small item. Just be aware that the smaller design, though it has many benefits, may make it difficult to grab certain items, and it will not protect your full hand. Product Details: Material: Silicone | Care: Machine or hand wash | Size: 4.33 x 3.35 inches Best Cotton Ritz Terry Pocket Mitt and Hot Pad PHOTO: Amazon $13 at Amazon $18 at Walmart View on Bed Bath & Beyond Why You Should Get It It comes in nine colors to match various kitchen decor styles. Keep in Mind It doesn’t feature silicone, which may limit overall grip. If you prefer the feel of a fully cotton pot holder mitt, the Ritz Pocket Mitt and Hot Pad are designed with you in mind. Made from cotton, this option is made in a terry weave, which is known for its absorbency, softness, and durability. Plus, it’s offered in nine colors, so you can choose one that suits your kitchen. A pocket on the back fully covers the hand for added protection, and the cotton makes it a viable option to be used as a hot pad for placing pans, dishes, hot spoons, or anything else that may be exceptionally hot. Plus, the absorbency of cotton makes it a good option should you need to rest something hot that contains a bit of condensation. As with the other options on our list, this cotton choice is machine washable and features a loop to conveniently hang it when not in use. We also like that it comes in a two-pack. What you may sacrifice with a fully cotton option, though, is the additional gripping power of silicone. Product Details: Material: Cotton | Care: Machine washable | Size: 8.25 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches Best Oven Mitt & Pot Holder Set Williams Sonoma Grilling Oven Mitt and Potholder Set PHOTO: Williams Sonoma $30 at Williams-Sonoma Why You Should Get It They are made with high-quality cotton for a comfortable and protected experience. Keep in Mind It has a lower temperature limit than other options on our list. For the best of both worlds, we recommend Williams Sonoma’s Grilling Oven Mitt and Potholder Set. Specifically designed to handle the heat that comes off a grill, this is a suitable option for handling other hot cooking items as well. This set features a mitt for circumstances where you may want additional protection, such as reaching into an oven or across a grill. The pot holder that is included can be used for things that may require additional dexterity. Quilted cotton on the exterior and cotton terry inside create a mitt that is not only comfortable but also protective. Just be aware that a 400°F limit on the temperature tolerance is lower than other options on our list. Overall, though, we find the protection afforded by the 15-inch mitt worthwhile. Lastly, a handy carabiner is included to keep everything together. Product Details: Material: Cotton | Care: Machine washable | Size: Mitt: 15 inches, potholder: 9 x 9 x 9 inches Best Colors KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Pot Holder PHOTO: Amazon $9 at Amazon $7 at Wayfair $15 at Home Depot Why You Should Get It The pot holders can handle temperatures up to 500°F. Keep in Mind They’re not machine washable. KitchenAid’s Ribbed Soft Silicone Pots Holders are offered in 21 colors, so they work just as well for protecting your hands as they do for adding a bit of flair and style to your space. The backs of these are made of silicone and can handle up to 500°F. The front is made from cotton, while the lining is polyester to promote comfort and offer added insulation. The silicone is also water-resistant to protect from spills out of boiling pots. The back pocket is spacious enough to easily slide hands into but still offers an element of protection as well. An added bonus is that these colorful and playful ribbed pot holders also come in a pack of two. While these are very easy to clean (simply rinse with water), note that these are not machine washable. Product Details: Material: Cotton, polyester, silicone | Care: Rinse with water and wipe clean, spot clean only | Size: 7 x 9 x 1 inches Best Non-Slip OXO Good Grips Silicone Pot Holder PHOTO: Amazon $13 at Amazon $13 at Target $13 at The Container Store Why You Should Get It It has a fully insulated pocket for your hand. Keep in Mind It only comes in a pack of one. Featuring a silicone body that has a non-slip diamond pattern, the OXO Good Grips Silicone Pot Holder is the best non-slip pot holder specifically designed to promote a better grip while dissipating heat. The heat-safe silicone is also intentionally designed to be able to stand up against flames and steam, so you can use these for even the most difficult meals. When not being used for holding pots, the heat-resistant silicone padding can be used as a trivet for hot pots, pans, or other cookware to avoid damaging countertops. The back of this option is a full pocket, which enables users to fit their entire hand into the insulated fabric liner, which can help stabilize the hand for a better grip. And, of course, it is also machine washable and features a hook to hang it when not in use. This choice is available in four fun colors but note that it only comes in a one-pack, unlike many other picks on this list. Product Details: Material: Silicone, fabric liner | Care: Machine washable | Size: 7.5 x 9.75 x 0.25 inches Best with Pocket Big Red House Pot Holders for Kitchen PHOTO: Amazon $16 at Amazon $13 at Target $20 at Walmart Why You Should Get It A terry lining and cotton interior create a comfortable space for your hand. Keep in Mind It has a mildly lower heat tolerance than other options and also doesn’t include a hook to hang it. A pocket on the back of a pot holder can be a useful tool to not only protect your hands but also create a better grip because of the added hand security. We particularly like this option from Big Red House for the terry cloth lining that creates the pocket, as terry cloth is a good choice for comfort and durability. Inside, we appreciate that the cotton infill works with the other components to create comfort and insulation to further protect your hands. Measuring 10 inches in length, this option is one of the longer choices on our list for a better fit for different hand sizes. The bottom of these pot holders features silicone strips. This usage of strips ensures a better grip, but it also works to maintain and rely heavily on the cotton that forms the rest of the holder. The result is a flexible option that leaves a lot of control in the hands of the user. Plus, this option can easily fit into drawers when laid flat. It’s machine washable, but it’s worth noting that a 480°F heat tolerance is marginally lower than other choices on our list, and it also doesn’t include a hook to hang it by. Product Details: Material: Cotton, silicone | Care: Machine washable | Size: 7.4 x 10 x 1.18 inches The Bottom Line Our pick for the best overall pot holder is the All-Clad 2-Piece Potholder Set for its high heat tolerance, flexible silicone treatment, and because it comes in a set of two. What to Know About Pot Holders Before Shopping Material Pot holders are made of all different kinds of materials, like 100% cotton, as seen in the Ritz Terry Pocket Mitt and Hot Pad, a full silicone composition, like the NEPAK 4 Pairs Silicone Cooking Pinch Grips, and a plethora that combine the two, as well as other materials like polyester. Deciding which material is best for you will be a matter of preference and cooking style. Silicone is an important material to look for in pot holders because it is used to promote grip, and it also has a low thermal conductivity, making it a good option for heat resistance. Cotton is not heat resistant, so cotton options often rely on other features, sometimes a thicker makeup to protect your hands, which can potentially limit the flexibility of the option. Cotton is, however, absorbent and durable. Options that combine the two and also implement things like polyester offer the best of both worlds, with the comfortability of cotton with the grip of silicone. Mellina adds that non-silicone options can be more absorbent, telling us that “The downside is that they absorb everything, but that is also the safety part,” adding that “It [silicone] can be a carrier of hot liquid.” Size Pot holders come in different shapes and sizes, and there are benefits to all of them, just as there are drawbacks. Options like the NEPAK 4 Pairs Silicone Cooking Pinch Grips are smaller in size and really only cover your fingers, so they offer less protection for your entire hand. But they also potentially offer added dexterity. Mellina tells us that a pot holder should be big enough for your hand but that it shouldn’t be too big or “It will make it clumsy, it can snag onto things.” Heat Protection Naturally, it is important to seek out heat protection from your pot holders, and different materials can protect in different ways. Products with silicone benefit from the material’s low thermal conductivity. Additionally, polyester is resistant to heat, which makes it a good lining material in pot holders, like the KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Pot Holder. In addition to the heat protection that the best pot holders afford your hands, Cropper notes, “It’s also a good way to protect your countertops or tables from a hot pot.” Grip As Cropper tells us, “Grip is super important with potholders because you don’t want to be in a situation where you are taking something hot and heavy out of the oven and you don’t feel like you have a good handle on it.” Grip will be a byproduct of materials and how they are constructed. Flexible options like the NEPAK 4 Pairs Silicone Cooking Pinch Grips help to maximize the natural ability of your fingers to grip, and the silicone also lends itself to providing grip. Other options that don’t feature silicone may not offer as much grip as this material is usually included on the backside of a pot holder to promote better grip. Care Instructions Be mindful that pot holders can be in the splash zone, and if they are really going to protect you, they may take the brunt of spills. As a result, it’s not only important to purchase durable pot holders, but also those that are easy to clean when the time comes. Most of the options on our list, like the Big Red House Pot Holders for Kitchen, are machine washable, while others, like the KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Pot Holder, can only be spot cleaned. Your Questions, Answered How much should I expect to spend on a pot holder? Pot holders do fall along a price spectrum, but there isn’t that much of a difference between the more expensive and the more affordable options. On our list, we include budget pot holders in the $10 price range and more expensive options that cost around $30. Do silicone oven mitts or pot holders work better? This depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for the most amount of protection for your hands and wrists, an oven mitt may be best suited for you. Conversely, if you are dealing with pots and pans and are just looking to ensure that you maintain a good grip, the best pot holders will usually be a better option for dexterity. Cropper tells us, “The silicone protects it from being able to get wet, and it also gives you a little bit of an extra grip.” How big should a pot holder be? This will depend on your needs and how you intend to use the pot holder. With that being said, Mellina tells us that they should be able to cover your wrists. Cropper tells us, “A potholder should be large enough to give you a good grip on the pot.” Who We Are Jack Byram is a freelance writer who covers all things home appliance-related. He has interviewed countless experts and written dozens of articles covering everything from espresso machines to blenders to food choppers. For this article about the best pot holders, he spoke with Steve Mellina, the executive chef at the Doubles Club, Sophina Uong, co-owner and executive chef of Mister Mao in New Orleans, and Kristen Cropper, executive sous chef of Quinto in Miami to better understand the benefits of pot holders and what people should seek from them. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit